Description
A hearty and flavorful Savory Ground Turkey Zucchini Casserole that combines lean ground turkey with fresh zucchini slices, savory marinara sauce, and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. This baked casserole is seasoned with Italian herbs and makes a perfect comforting meal ideal for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 3 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cheese and Sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Seasonings and Oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature by the time the casserole is assembled.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Cook Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Season with salt, black pepper, and dried Italian seasoning.
- Add Marinara Sauce: Stir the marinara sauce into the cooked turkey and continue cooking for another 2 minutes to combine flavors. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Prepare Baking Dish and Layer Zucchini: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange half of the thinly sliced zucchini in an even layer to create the base of the casserole.
- Layer Turkey Mixture and Cheese: Spread half of the turkey and marinara mixture evenly over the zucchini layer. Then sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining zucchini slices, turkey mixture, and cheeses to build the casserole.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow the zucchini to soften and flavors to meld.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Garnish: Let the casserole cool slightly before serving to set the layers. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired for added freshness and color.
Notes
- Using thinly sliced zucchini ensures they cook evenly within the baking time.
- Feel free to substitute marinara with your preferred tomato sauce or add crushed red pepper for heat.
- To make this dish lower in carbs, reduce the amount of cheese or use part-skim mozzarella.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
